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The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands #1) by Jonathan French LIVE IN THE SADDLE. DIE ON THE HOG. Such is the creed of the half-orcs dwelling in the Lot Lands. Sworn to hardened brotherhoods known as hoofs, these former slaves patrol their unforgiving country astride massive swine bred for war. They are all that stand between the decadent heart of noble Hispartha and marauding bands of full-blood orcs. Jackal rides with the Grey Bastards, one of eight hoofs that have survived the harsh embrace of the Lots. Young, cunning and ambitious, he schemes to unseat the increasingly tyrannical founder of the Bastards, a plague-ridden warlord called the Claymaster. Supporting Jackalâs dangerous bid for leadership are Oats, a hulking mongrel with more orc than human blood, and Fetching, the only female rider in all the hoofs. When the troubling appearance of a foreign sorcerer comes upon the heels of a faceless betrayal, Jackalâs plans are thrown into turmoil. He finds himself saddled with a captive elf girl whose very presence begins to unravel his alliances. With the anarchic blood rite of the Betrayer Moon close at hand, Jackal must decide where his loyalties truly lie, and carve out his place in a world that rewards only the vicious. SPFBO 2016 Winner |
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The Moonlight War by S.K.S. Perry Three caravans have vanished traversing the Cowcheanne Way. The legendary Tahsis platoon, warriors thought by most to be invincible, are dispatched to investigate and are never heard from again. Rumours of native uprisings and bandit armies grow wilder and more widespread every day, while the more devout whisper about the return of the Horde, a mythic foe from ages past. The truce between the warring Kael-tii and Ashai nations is put to the test when a new caravan is outfitted and they are forced to travel The Way together. As an ancient evil is unleashed upon them, a group of heroes, friend and foe alike, must band together for survival. When the true nature of their mission slowly comes to light, the growing distrust between the Kael-tii and Ashai camps threatens to tear the caravan apart. Can they set aside their differences in time to combat the menace that imperils them all, or are they doomed to join the ranks of lost souls claimed by the cursed Cowcheanne Way? |
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The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragons #1) by Kaitlyn Davis When Jinji's home is destroyed, she is left with nowhere to run and no one to run to â until she meets Rhen, a prince chasing rumors that foreign enemies have landed on his shores. Masquerading as a boy, Jinji joins Rhen with vengeance in her heart. But traveling together doesn't mean trusting one another, and both are keeping a deep secret â magic. Jinji can weave the elements to create master illusions and Rhen can pull burning flames into his flesh. But while they struggle to hide the truth, a shadow lurks in the night. An ancient evil has reawakened, and unbeknownst to them, these two unlikely companions hold the key to its defeat. Because their meeting was not coincidence â it was fate. And their story has played out before, in a long forgotten time, an age of myth that is about to be reborn... From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes a fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Kristin Cashore, and Tamora Pierce! Told in alternating male and female perspectives. |
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The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids (Amra Thetys #1) by Michael McClung *Winner of the 2015 Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off, Hosted by Mark Lawrence* Amra Thetys lives by two simple rulesâtake care of business, and never let it get personal. Thieves don't last long in Lucernis otherwise. But when a fellow rogue and good friend is butchered on the street in a deal gone wrong, she turns her back on burglary and goes after something more precious than treasure: Revenge. Revenge, however, might be hard to come by. A nightmare assortment of enemies, including an immortal assassin and a mad sorcerer, believe Amra is in possession of The Blade That Whispers Hateâthe legendary, powerful artifact her friend was murdered forâand they'll do anything to take it from her. Trouble is, Amra hasn't got the least clue where the Blade might be. She needs to find the Blade, and soon, or she'll be joining her colleague in a cold grave instead of avenging his death. Time is running out for the small, scarred thief. |
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The Weight of a Crown by Tavish Kaeden THE WEIGHT OF A CROWN Thousands dream of it; still more die for it. Yet, how many can truly bear it? After centuries of bitter conflict the realm of Esmoria is at last united under the banner of a single king. On the surface the realm appears to be enjoying its first taste of peace, but lingering resentment and the untimely death of the new ruler threaten to return Esmoria to political chaos. Meanwhile, in the farthest reaches of the frozen north, a dethroned monarch's plot for revenge awakens a long-forgotten evil. As darkness and treachery descend upon the realm, a young escapee from a forced labor camp, a disenfranchised soldier, and an epileptic engraver's apprentice find themselves at the heart of the troubles. |
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Sins of a Sovereignty (Amernia Fallen #1) by Simon (Plague Jack) Watts From their prisons, the old gods watch, and wait. Calcifer, the arrogant and obtuse sorcerer turned monster hunter, wants nothing more than to bleed his country of its gold, and return to his lover. When she is assaulted and her mind is left in tatters, Calcifer seeks vengeance by any means necessary. Sir Clark Pendragon has murdered more men than he cares to remember. Tired and battle scarred, the old knight just wants to live out his last days in peace. When he is needed to stop an assassination, Pendragon is ripped from his retirement and sent north to save his country one final time. Shrike, keeper of Amernia's secrets, spends his days combing through letters in search of blackmail. Cunning, and with a mind sharper than a blade, Shrike's luck is slowly running out, as sinister shadows conspire against him. War is coming to Amernia, and the Blood Queen stands at the heart of the chaos. A wave of hatred ripples across her country, and she maintains order with fire and fear. The rift between rich and poor, human and nonhuman, divides the kingdom more everyday, as a spectral rider streaks across the sky, heralding the death of kings. The fates of Calcifer, Pendragon, Shrike, and the Blood Queen are hopelessly intertwined, and new alliances will be forged and broken as war threatens to tear Amernia asunder. 2015 SPFBO Finalist |
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Under a Colder Sun (Khale the Wanderer #1) by Greg James A Grimdark Fantasy Adventure set in a world of Darkness and Chaos! Khale the Wanderer: dark warrior of legend, a reaver with a demonâs soul. King Alosse: ruler of Colm, willing to risk everything to save his city and its people. Princess Milanda: an innocent, kept pure since birth, unknowing of her fate. Neprokhodymh: the cursed city of sorcerers where Khale must make a choice that will scar him for life, or fall into darkness forever. INCLUDES BONUS SHORT STORIES: 'Timestone' and 'Each Dawn, I Die'. 2015 SPFBO Finalist! |
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Whalemoon (Wyrmwind Tales Book #1) by Dustin Porta Phehl never wanted to be pike keeper, but at least the job would be easy. Or so she thought. For as long as anyone can remember the islanders of Brodthrop Atoll have lived in peace. The dragon winds keep pirates away and the dance of the whalepike calms the seas. When the ceremony goes wrong a strange girl washes up on Whalegrave Beach. Phehl is duty bound to help those in need. But there's a problem: the girl is a sharkling, tricksters of legend with smiles of dagger-sharp teeth. And she's not the only visitor. The winds blow and the seas churn. Ships appear on the horizon. Some want to trade, others, to plunder. All have eyes for the Whalepike. When the sharkling is captured, Phehl has to make a terrible choice: trust superstition and let the monster be taken, or risk everything to bring her back. Save her new friend, or save her people? Either way she will have to be honest. About the secrets she's keeping, the lies that she has told, and lies of keepers who came before her. Whalemoon is the first book in the Wyrmwind Tales This whimsical high fantasy is set on a world of islands, with a fable-based magic system that weaves tales of sea-gnome knights, genies in seashells, and a crown fit for an octopus king. These folk tales, and sailing chantees aren't just for the reader, they can shift the winds of fate. But can they teach Phehl what it means to be a brave and compassionate hero? A nautical tale for noblebright readers and fans of Earthsea and Narnia, Whalemoon puts a new twist on old-fashioned high fantasy. This novel is a treasure trove of lore and limerick to put on your shelf to read again and again. Welcome to the world of Tableau Mer! |
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War of the God Queen by David Hambling Thrown back through time⌠Jessica has only her wits. Will she find a way to survive long enough to get back home? She was fresh out of architecture school and ready to take the world by storm. She wasnât prepared for what came next. An alien encounter that sent her falling through a portal into another world Jessicaâs plight looks hopeless -- she doesn't understand the language, the bronze-age culture, or even how to defend herself. Sheâs not a Connecticut Yankee and this is definitely not King Arthurâs court. The locals are unimpressed. Whatâs her next move? Her only goal is to get back home, but Jessica has landed in the middle of something sinister: in the ancient near east, circa 1000 B.C., a war rages. Can she stop an alien invasion through time? Sheâll need help, but who can she count on? Youâll love this brilliant take on portal fiction, with twists and turns that are different than what youâve grown to expect. |
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Unbinding the Stone (The Flame in the Bowl #1) by Marc Vun Kannon All Tarkas wanted was to live the life he'd made for himself, get married, have children, as generations of his fathers had done before him since the beginning of time. The Gods had other plans, and Tarkas couldn't say no, even had they bothered to ask him. Between one footstep and the next they alter his life irrevocably, and he finds himself plunged headlong into a new world and life, full of magic, mayhem, monsters, and mystery. For a new prophecy has pitted the forces of Nature against themselves, and the Gods are helpless. But when even the Gods' gifts have thorns, their need exacts a price that only a Hero would ever dare to pay. Only a Hero can act, and Tarkas has been chosen to do the things that must be done, with the fate of two Realms in the balance. |
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A Tale of Infidels by Erik A. Otto A WORLD RIFE WITH RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE Where cryptic prophesies of gravity-defying events and stories of mythical beasts are regular undercurrents to daily life. POLITICAL TENSIONS ARE MOUNTING War has sprung, troops are mobilizing, and the omens are clear. AND NOW, INFIDELS ARE EMERGING Sinners and traitors are being cast out. These are despicable liars. They are twisted, half-wit heathens. They are deceitful scum⌠âŚand theyâre the only ones that could save millions of lives. |
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The Sword of Wisimir by Allen Stroud Opportunistic thief, Jack Von Drey thinks his luck is in when he steals the Governor's taxes from the back of a treasury wagon. But it turns out, this is a game with higher stakes than he bargained for. City Minister, Urin Braymes makes one bad decision. Unfortunately for him, it opens him up to being blackmailed for the rest of his life. Magister Leel's scheme to recapture his position of power seems to be right on track. But, when he makes a bargain, he finds he has unleashed magic that even a wizard cannot control. And Jarno Herren? Well he just wants to find out the truth. The Sword of Wisimir is a fantasy tale of crime, intrigue, life and death. Where ideals are cheap and, in the end, everyone finds out what they'd sacrifice to survive... |
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The Stone of Knowing (The Stone Cycle #1) by Allan N. Packer Even a small stone creates big ripples In the kingdom of Arvenon, young Thomas Stablehand stumbles upon an unusual stone. Suddenly able to read the thoughts and intents of others, his life sours as he eagerly indulges his curiosity. But dangerous enemies seek the stone. With overwhelming forces attacking the kingdom, Thomas has no one to turn to except his friend Will Prentis, a born leader who has seized his opportunity to command. To thwart the invaders, Will leads a small band on a perilous quest. Fearing exposure, Thomas flees with him, along with Brother Vangellis, a conflicted monk hiding from his past. They can ill afford distractions, least of all a fiery young woman with a sharp tongue. But more may depend on Elbruhe than they can foresee. As Thomas struggles to unravel the enigma of the stone, Will must outwit a relentless adversary whose true purpose remains a mystery. Staying alive is a formidable challenge. Defeating their enemies seems an impossible dream. Note: The Stone of Knowing is not a standalone book--the saga continues and concludes in The Cost of Knowing, book two of The Stone Cycle. |
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Stolen Luck (The Chanmyr Chronicles #0) by T.J. Muir After an age of silence, the gods stir, and one man is listening... Even though Haki is the younger son of a powerful ruler, he feels the gods calling him to greatness. Clever and devout, he knows he is better suited to rule. Then a whisper in the back of Haki's mind calls to him. Could it be the gods be speaking? That belief turns into a dark driving force. Haki must prove he has been chosen to lead the realm. His desire pushes him to the edge of madness. Craving recognition, Haki tries to prove his worth while protecting his family from political scandal. He sees everything as a test to prove he is destined to sit on the throne. Will the choices he makes damn his soul or redeem the world? Stolen Luck is the prequel novel in the compelling Chanmyr Chronicles epic fantasy series. If you like diabolical characters, gritty worlds, and intrigue, then youâll love TJ Muirâs captivating prequel tale. |
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Song of Shadow (Ballad of Emerald and Iron #1) by Natalya Capello They said she was out of her mind. The dark truth will shake the foundations of the fae realm⌠Lorelei refuses to believe her wild visions mean sheâs insane. But despite her royal sidhe heritage, sheâs banished to a remote priory to prevent her causing trouble. So when a priestess of the Elemental Order urges her to join a risky pilgrimage, she flees her prison and sails headlong into danger. Traveling to an ancient land imbued with volatile magic, she chokes back her disbelief after unearthing evil sorcery that shouldnât exist. And now that Lorelei holds the forbidden secrets, she fears itâs only a matter of time before the powerful Elphyne Empire silences her permanently. If the fae churchâs ruthless assassins donât hunt her down first⌠Can Lorelei expose the sinister conspiracy before darkness falls forever? Song of Shadow is the captivating first novel in the Ballad of Emerald and Iron epic fantasy series. If you like strong women, potent magic, and non-stop adventure, then youâll love Natalya Capelloâs enthralling tale. |
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Shrouded Kingdom (The Lost Queen of Althea #1) by Rachel Medhurst Once a human, now a fae princess, destined to be queen. Layanna Fairling has never belonged to her village, and yet, when itâs threatened by a tyrant who wants her dead, she knows she has to protect it. Three mysterious strangers who claim Layanna is a changeling and future ruler of the Seelie Court arrive to aid her. They also claim that the only way of saving her village is by overthrowing the Unseelie tyrant who inherited the throne from his evil father when he slew her real parents, the Fae King and Queen of Althea. The tyrant's greed and violence threaten to tear apart the kingdom she never knew existed, leaving Layanna with a simple choice. Overthrow the handsome and powerful tyrant, or lose everyone and everything she loves. |
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Shoreseeker (The Farshores Saga Book 1) by Brandon M. Lindsay The #1 Epic Fantasy in Japan It was supposed to keep them safe. For six hundred years, Andrinâs Wall protected the remnants of humanity from a scourge that devastated them: beastly monsters called the sheggam. But centuries of relative peace have relegated the sheggam to myth and superstition. Tharadis, the Warden of the independent city Naruvieth, must protect his people and their homes from threats more immediate than ancient legends. The Council of the Wall aims to finish building the Runeway, a magical construct spanning the whole of the Accord, no matter who gets in their way. But after a knight with sheggam magic flowing through his veins seeks protection in Naruvieth, Tharadis uncovers a menacing secret: the Runeway itself is built from sheggam magic, magic that isnât supposed to exist on this side of Andrinâs Wall. Not only must Tharadis confront scheming politicians, rogue knights, and ominous prophecy, he must draw his blade for the greatest battle humanity has ever faced. For the sheggam are already here. |
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Rise of the Forgotten Sun (The Sun and the Raven #1) by Jon Monson All I ever wanted was to see the world and maybe discover an ancient civilization or two. A life of scholarly solitude and adventure was more than enough for me. I never wanted to play politics. I never wanted to get married. I most certainly never dreamed of becoming a god. Yet when I ventured into the depths of the Soulless Desert, I found... something- a power so ancient it has been forgotten by mankind. That day unleashed a chain of events that, once started, cannot be stopped. It is the Rise of the Forgotten Sun. It is the beginning of the end. |
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Princess of Shadows (Fairy Tale Adventures #1) by A.G. Marshall Only a true princess can save the kingdom. Alaric wants to be king. He wants to continue the peace and prosperity his father created in Aeonia. But with enemies questioning his bloodline, heâll have to put his heart on the line and marry a stranger to secure his right to rule. Only a match with a true princess will silence his critics and protect his future. Linaâs lineage is shocking at best and deadly at worst. Over a century ago, she put herself into an enchanted sleep to seal away a horde of dark creatures. Now both Lina and the goblins are awake. Without friends or resources, Lina must seek the help of the Council of Kings. To get close enough to them to ask for aid, sheâll need to convince everyone sheâs a true princess. As Alaric searches for a true princess to marry, Lina tries to convince the world she is one. But while they try to save the kingdom on their own, they may find what they need is each other. |
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Prince of Shadow and Ash (The Mercenary and the Mage #1) by Selina R. Gonzalez Bastard and former mercenary Lord Regulus Hargreaves just wants to earn his freedom from the sorcerer who enslaved him. When Lady Adelaide sees past his scar and his shadowed past, Regulusâ dying hope rekindles. But will loving Adelaide while serving the Prince of Shadow and Ash put her in danger? Adelaide Belanger longs to use the magical energy within her, but revealing her power could get her killed. When she meets kind and rugged Regulus, she wonders if she has finally found someone to trust with her secretâand her heart. Regulus and Adelaide struggle to build a relationship and keep their secrets from those who would harm them. By the time Regulusâ and Adelaideâs secrets are revealed, it may be too late for them both... |
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The Phoenix Prince (Royal Blood #1) by Kristen Gupton Prince Keiran no more wishes to be king than he wants to be a vampire. Unfortunately, both fates were determined at his birth. He's spent the last twenty-three years trying to ignore his vampirism, but he can no longer ignore the throne. His father has died, and in seven days, Keiran will be made King of Tordania. The late king's adviser, the demon-summoner Peirte Methaius, has other ideas. He wants the throne for himself. He publicly opposes the notion of a vampire king, and there are others sympathetic to that view. They don't want Tordania to suffer the same horrible fate as other vampire-led realms. Keiran, already in failing health due to his abstinence from human blood, is now the target of an assassination plot. Opposing Peirte might prove too much for him to bear. It might be too much for Tordania, too, with the people so divided. But the alternative is to let the country fall under the spell of Peirte's black magic, and Keiran can't allow that. He never wanted to be king, but he's always been a patriot, and he'll do whatever it takes to save his people. |
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Night of the Bloody Tines (Klinghammer Saga #1) by Rogan Feltmate ENTER the city-state of Klinghammer, a former global superpower run by old guilds and older families. Its archaic corporatist government is the last of its kind, and Lord Mayor Trav Pinion sees the writing on the wall. With a pending bid to join the Concert of Tinesâan international economic and military allianceâKlinghammer is on the cusp of taking its seat on the global stage once more. However, the Corporationâs repressive policies against magic have sparked outrage across the land, prompting Kasters to rise up⌠Amid the tumult, Chelsi Ashbruner applies for an internship at Guildhall, and gets much more than she bargained for. She is hired as the Auxiliary to Airn Dutta, an up-and-coming political luminary and a descendant of the Cityâs most powerful industrial dynasty. An attempt on the Lord Mayorâs life ignites a political powder keg, threatening to expose Klinghammerâs dirtiest secrets. An aged vigilante, a legendary swordsman, and a detective fallen from grace, are forced from retirement. Along with Chelsi and Airn, theyâll soon discover whether the City can survive its past when confronted by its eldest foes⌠|
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When prison guard Conyr rescues a young priest from execution, he sets off a dangerous adventure that brings allies in a scheming politician, a mischievous urchin, and a beautiful tavern server. Together, the group must navigate a maze of power-hungry rivals, skilled assassins, and deadly sorcery. For the young priest's lost memory holds the key to more than his past, but the fate of two cities. |
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Magical Friends by Barbara G. Tarn Once upon a time he dreamed of becoming a dragon rider. Once upon a time he had magical friends. Now Torik is a woodcutter who has moved to his king's castle out of friendship for the prince heir. Now King, Lambert is almost killed in a revolt and Torik's magical friends resurface to save him. Both exiled from their hometown, Torik and Lambert wander in search of a new home with two of Torik's childhood magical friends â a young Genn healer and a dragonette. Twins with different destinies, Babirye and Tamika were born in Sannia, up north, where people have pale skin and golden manes. When they were children, their merchant father moved the family to Agharek, where their dark skins were less conspicuous. But when the twins developed different attitudes, their father sent them to the Queendom of Maadre. Now Babirya is a shaman and Tamika a strong warrior woman who go back to Agharek to their brothers and magical friends. A journey through the world, meeting people and seeing places. With a dragonette. A Silvery Earth novel. |
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Land of Perpetual Night (Blood Forest #0.5) by Miri C. Golden SHEâS THE LEGEND WHO WILL TOPPLE AN EMPIRE OF LIESâŚSHE JUST DOESNâT KNOW IT YET. Cadet ranger Troa Travay spends her days arresting outlaws in the wilds of Shinador. Given her squadâs accomplishments while under her command, sheâll someday earn the captainship she dreams of. For Troa, itâs a perfect lifeâŚuntil she uncovers an insidious plot to assassinate Shinadorâs governor, the very man she unwittingly kissed the other nightâa ruler the law forbids her from loving. While Troa and her squad investigate, she gains a deadly magical Gift, guaranteed to soon kill her. Worse yet, Imperium law requires she surrender herself to the authorities before she loses her mind and hurts peopleâas the Gifted always do. But the magic reveals a tapestry of lies shrouding the world Troa knows, and when she plucks a thread, everything she believed to be true begins to unravel. Now, she finds herself caught in a tangle of deception, betrayal, and slaughter, where right and wrong arenât mutually exclusive. With her life and all she holds dear hanging in the balance, can she burn through the lies without landing herself in irons? Or will the magic consume her before she uncovers the truth? The timepiece is ticking. Land of Perpetual Night is a full-length prequel to the upcoming Blood Forest trilogyâan action-packed, character-driven High Fantasy series. If you like resilient heroines, fathomless friendships, and a side of steam served with your magic, battles, and heartache, then this gripping story is for you. |
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The Knights of Dragonwatch (The Dragon Queen of Chaos #1) by Eric T. Knight Led by dragons, the Emperorâs vast army conquers every nation in its path⌠The Emperor seeks to free the Dragon Queen from the Abyss. The only ones who could have opposed him are the Knights of Dragonwatch, an ancient order created to defend the world against the Dragon Queen, and they are no more, betrayed by one of their own and hunted to extinction. Jarryd is a young man with a secret. He sees demons. The visions have plagued him since he witnessed a traumatic event as a small boy. Jarryd lives in fear that his secret will be discovered, and he will be condemned to the fate of those who consort with demons. Or, even worse, that the demons will consume him, make him one of them. As the visions grow ever more powerful, Jarryd sets out on a journey to find answers at Knights Keep, the ancestral home of the Dragonwatch Knights. The journey brings him to the notice of the Emperor himself and sets Jarryd on a desperate quest to resurrect the Dragonwatch Knights. Can Jarryd overcome the demons within himself and defeat the Emperor in time? Or will the Dragon Queen escape her prison and ravage the cosmos once again? |
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I, Exile (A Thief's Tale #1) by David M. Samuels Exiled into a wasteland because of a heist gone wrong, Emelith vows to hunt down the one responsible. Except not all is what it seems in the haunted realm of the Cauldron. Classic Swords & Sorcery meets cinematic 90's action (Tomb Raider, The Mummy, Indiana Jones) in this rollicking thief's tale. |
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House of Legions (The Angel Descendants #1) by Shan R.K William Blackwyll has roamed the earth, thriving in both human world and descendants Realms . He has watched emperors rise and fall in their own blood, and fought battles along side Lightwatcher's, Elvans, Shifters, Fairies and Casters. None of which matters now- It didn't prepare him for the hardest battle of his life. It didn't prepare him for Clare Miller, the Lightwatcher hunted by Angels and Demons. After a severe head injury eight years ago left Clare Miller with no recollection of the first ten years of her life, retrieving the unattainable, is exactly what it is, UNATTAINABLE. Her only source to link her to her mysterious past is her overbearing, tight lipped mother. Clare has no idea the deadly power that surge's through her veins waiting to be unleashed onto the earth. A horrific event leaves Clare with no option but to rely on her estranged brother, Nathan and an enticing fire Angel, Kalbreal. Hunted by Tempters and Angels, Clares only hope is the man who walks in her dreams, a man of no face, but eyes of the deepest blue, dipped in the finest cut of diamonds, William Blackwyll. The race to the end begins. Angels and Demons will fight for their right while one girl will bring the heavens to her knees. Touched by the heavenly hand itself, Clare Miller must uncover her destiny in The Angel Descendants. |
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Hedge Witch (The Cloven Land Trilogy #1) by Simon Kewin Two Worlds, one nightmare... Cait Weerd has no idea she's being sought by the undain: sorcerous creatures that feed off the spirit of the living. She doesn't know they need her blood to survive. She doesn't even know she's a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Cait Weerd doesn't know a lot, really, but all that's about to change. At Manchester Central Library she's caught up in sudden violence. In the chaos she's given an old book that's been hidden there. Given it and told to run. Hide the book or destroy it. The book contains all the secrets of the undains' existence. They and their human servants want to find it as much as they want to find her. Cait learns the fates of two worlds are at stake. Just what she needs. Along with definitely-not-a-boyfriend Danny, she has to decide what the hell to do. Run, fight or hope it all goes away. It's only then she learns who she really is, along with the terrible truth of what the undain have been doing in our world all this time... |
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Heartscale (Thunder of Dragons #1) by Lola Ford On one side of the world Graith discovers a dying dragon in his barn. While the country is hunting after the monster, he doesnât hesitate in doing his best to aid her. Before she is fully healed, Azelia urgently needs to get back to her cave to protect her eggs. Unable to even fly, Graith decides to accompany her, worried of what might happen. On the other side of the world, where the future ruler is decided by dragons, Nerie is chosen by the Kiriga, the golden hatchling. Raised as a merchant in the middle district of Roria, sheâs shocked to learn that she is the kingâs bastard. Thrown into a chaotic palace life, sheâs forced to balance learning to be princess and being bonded to a dragon. |
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Graveyard Gods (The Raider and the Rapier #1) by Joseph Daniel, Bryan Arneson The currents sweep east, but the dead float south. This corpse laden tide carries with it the destinies of a tomb raider, a knight turned captain, and an empire fraying at the seams. A grave robber who dabbles in the alchemical arts, Edmond Mondego has spent the last seven years in search of a God Grave. He hopes to find magic within to relinquish his murdered wife's soul to the land of the living. What he finds instead is an imprisoned goddess stripped of her power but in full possession of divine secrets, including a rumor: every five years, one living soul is returned to the Emperor of the Gilded Islands. Meanwhile, the Lord Captain Augustin Mora, newly appointed commander of His Imperial Majesty's Ship Intrepid, guards the forbidden waters for his Emperor. Edmond's profane plundering of a God Grave and the machinations of the admiralty send Augustin on a quest to capture the tomb robber. But an enemy from his past muddies the waters, and Augustin is forced to reunite his old knight's guild and put hand to hilt once again. And so, Edmond sets every ounce of cunning and guile to raise himself through the ranks of nobility, evading Augustin Mora and all manner of assassins; he has only one goalâto convince the Emperor to use the magical boon for his wife's soul, and, failing that, to take the throne for himself. |
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In a plague-ravaged world, humanity struggles to recognize itself. The Blight, a vicious disease that decimated mankind, beasts, and even plant life has left its crippling mark on the world. Isolated havens, once prosperous cities, selfishly hoard what little food remains. Yet, hope lives on where least expected. Wandering the Godless Lands between the havens, Ferris, an aged and Blight scarred soldier turned vagabond finds himself thrust into the role of guardian for a desperate noblewoman and her daughter. Thinking he does only a small kindness, Ferris soon finds himself on the run from Sir Arlo, the infamous Death Knight. With no other options, Ferris leads his wards to a hidden community amidst the desolation and hazards of the Godless Lands. What Ferris doesnât know is that others stalk the death poxed land; a danger that the world is just becoming aware of. The Butcher of Riven is on the prowl, and he hunts for the Hungry God... |
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Frey (The Frey Saga #1) by Melissa Wright Unaware she's been bound from using magic, Frey leads a small, miserable life in the village where she's sent after the death of her mother. But a tiny spark starts a fury of changes and she finds herself running from everything she's ever known. Hunted by council for practicing dark magic, she is certain she's been wrongfully accused. She flees, and is forced to rely on strangers for protection. But the farther she strays from home, the more her magic and forgotten memories return and she begins to suspect all is not as it seems. |
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Flight Of The SkyCricket: Relics of Errus, Volume 1 by Gordon Greenhill In our world, science and mythology are mortal enemies. But what if a world existed where they were the same thing? In this first volume of The Relics of Errus, Flight of the SkyCricket, three sisters-Eli, Anna, and Rose Hoover-stumble through a window in the wine cellar of an old Victorian house and find themselves in Errus, a world where natural disasters give birth to mythological creatures-some harmless, some horrific. Caught up in a quest involving impassable deserts, dangerous jungles, dark mountainous caverns, and a menagerie of dwarfs, fairies, knights, and quirky scientists, they search for the mythical Well of the sea goddess Therra, which seems to be their only way home. Trapped in a world that births fairies from windstorms and dwarfs from earthquakes, everything rests on finding the lost Well... if it even exists. Both the pious and skeptic make their case along the way, but belief may not always be something you choose-sometimes it is something that happens to you. |
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Fires That Forge (Lords of Order and Chaos #1) by R.J. Hanson Murder. Betrayal. Magic? One knight takes up his hammer to hunt a killer concealed. When dark arts and faith face off, will sorcery or swordsmanship win out? What chance can a mere mortal have against vampires and demonic forces? Is Kingâs Inquisitor Dunewell prepared to break the laws he has sworn to serve to discover and defeat a master of shrouded evil? Where is the line between hero and villain, saint and sinner? Kingdom of Lethanor, 1648. Inquisitor Dunewell stands strong in a city scarred by corruption. A true warrior for justice, the newly assigned investigator jumps into the fray when a close physician friend is accused of murder. Vowing to find the real monster, he enters a deadly race against time and the tip of the executionerâs blade. Ordered by superiors to wrap up the case quickly, the honorable man-at-arms digs deeply into clues pointing to demons and forbidden powers. But as more aristocrats are found brutally slain and vampire attacks foment mayhem, Dunewell must hunt down a magical foe before his city falls into violent madness. Fires that Forge is the first book in the gripping Lords of Order & Chaos epic fantasy series, one of four series in the Bloodlines Reforged Saga. If you like thrilling mysteries, hidden enemies, and fast-paced action, then youâll love R. J. Hansonâs sword and sorcery tale. |
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Exile (The Nandor Tales #1) by Martin Owton âExileâ is a fast-moving tightly-plotted fantasy adventure story with a strong thread of romance Aron of Darien, raised in exile after his homeland is conquered by a treacherous warlord, makes his way in the world on the strength of his wits and skill with a sword. Both are sorely tested when he is impressed into the service of the Earl of Nandor to rescue his heir from captivity in the fortress of Sarazan. The rescue goes awry. Aron and his companions are betrayed and must flee for their lives. Pursued by steel and magic, they find new friends and old enemies on the road that leads, after many turns, to the city of the High King. There Aron must face his fatherâs murderer before risking everything in a fight to the death with the deadliest swordsman in the kingdom. |
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The Emerald Brotherhood (The Leagues, #1) by J. Anthony Oaks Four friends, bound together by an unseen bond of loyalty, discover the true reason fate brought them together. Their journey pits them against a maniacal dark magic wielder named Decimus who is hell-bent on stamping out light magic and its history forever. The four brothers, as they fight to save light magic and rid the local lands of this murderous evil, encounter the misery and oppression Decimus and his army of Gatherers bring to the townspeople of the realm. Along the way, with the help of some unusual friends, the brothers rekindle a long-obscured organization founded on benevolence. |
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A Dream of Fire (The Dragon Queen #1) by J.R. Rasmussen A vengeful dragon. A forgotten terror. And the one man who is least qualified to stop them. Nothing is more dear to Griffin than his magic school, but for a man with no magic, life there has its challenges. They laugh at him. They exclude him. And that's just his fellow teachers. So when a dragon no one else has seen delivers a chilling warning for Griffin's ears alone, it's no surprise that his colleagues don't take him seriously. Unfortunately, convincing them that the magistery stands at the brink of destruction is only the beginning of his troubles. As an ancient struggle between dragons and men reignites, Griffin's only hope lies in deciphering the secrets of a long-dead madman. But the deeper he goes, the less he knows who to trust, on legs or wings. Dodging both suspicion and betrayal, Griffin is caught in a desperate race for the one weapon that can save his homeâor reduce it to ashes in an instant. |
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Dragonvein (Dragonvein #1) by Brian D. Anderson Carentan, France 1944 - Ethan Martin, a soldier in the 101st Airborne, is fighting for his life. But soon he will learn what peril truly is when he is ripped from his world and transported to a land of magic, swords, and dragons. And though the Nazis are now far, far away, danger is closer than ever. The Eternal Emperor, Shinzan, has destroyed the mages and only a few dragons remain in exile. And now that Ethan, son of Praxis Dragonvein, has returned he must destroy him as well. Faced with unimaginable power, Ethan has only one hope - to reach the dwarf kingdom of Elyfoss before Shinzan can find him. |
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Dragon Source (Reunification #1) by Glenn Birmingham Her abilities could send her soaring to new heights or burn her alive in a blaze of treachery⌠Arten canât let anyone know her secret. If her fiery forbidden power becomes known, sheâll be burned at the stake by her magic-fearing religion. And when her mother sells her out to the churchâs fanatical agents, sheâs forced to flee into the wilds. Reluctantly accepting a mysterious strangerâs helping hand, she travels an underground network intent on reaching a protected dragon city. But when she learns most of the fugitives go missing before they arrive, she suspects her benefactor holds sinister secrets of his own. Can Arten make it to safety and realize her destiny, or will she be reduced to ashes? Dragon Source is the first book in the captivating Reunification epic fantasy series. If you like hidden magic, perilous quests, and dark mysteries, then youâll love Glenn Birminghamâs action-packed tale. |
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Dire (Feathers & Flames Book 1) by John Bailey Even the skies will burn. Euraiya is a lazy gryphon, content to let her traps hunt for her. Roving thieves and bullish curs are her only concerns. But after she fails to save her home from a far greater threat, her world erupts into flames. Broken and half dead, she must claw her way to find a place within a new pride thatâs poised to exile her with one wrong move. Forced to prove her worth, her warnings are silenced. But with the leaders distracted and a rogue lord poised to take advantage of any weakness, Euraiya must confront them and herself before itâs too late. Can Euraiya save whatâs left of her future before the fires rain down again? Dire is the first novel in a new Creature Fiction Fantasy series that pits gryphons against wyverns in a battle for land and survival. If you enjoyed The Summer King Chronicles or the Gryphon Insurrection series, then this is for you! |
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The Demonic Compendium: Book One (A Grimdark Epic Fantasy Novel) by David Viergutz The slaughter of the royal family has awakened an unspeakable evil. Prince Shaw returns from death with the help of The Demonic Compendium, a sentient tome of demonic knowledge with its own agenda. Caught between his soul-bound tasks and his personal mission, Shaw must find a way to honor his agreement with the book, avenge his family, and retake the throne. Little does he know; forces of darkness are plotting against him. A demonic army has been raised, with the malicious intent to annihilate the world. With enemies closing in from all sides, Shaw discovers his only hope to survive lies in the hands of an ancient entity with a death wish all its own. Sound the drums of war and prepare for battle! Can Shaw take his place as the rightful king? Or will the nation he loves crumble before his eyes? |
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The Delving (Overthrown - The Chronicles of Denoril #1) by Aaron Bunce It rests deep in the ground, they say, an ancient burial treasure of unimaginable wealth. Riches to humble even the most prosperous men, locked away from time itself. But the Councilâs edict was clear â keep the tombs of the ancient dalan closed. Keep the past sealed. But where there is wealth, there is greed, and nothing stays buried forever. Thorben Paulson is an ordinary man, trying to raise his family the honest way. Unfortunately, the Councilâs tax collectors demand more and more each thaw, taking in both coin and food. For a branded man like Thorben, his checkered past means the burden is always greater. With hungry mouths to feed and winter on the horizon, Thorbenâs desperation grows. A visitor appears unexpectedly in town, a man from his past, carrying a map and a promise â enough coin to feed his family for the foreseeable future, in exchange for a single job. Not just any job, however. Thorben must delve once again, leave the sun behind and enter the underground crypts, the realm of the dead, and find priceless dalan relics. And yet, more lies in wait than things that sparkle and glimmer, and in Denoril, some things never truly die. |
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Death of the Invisible Financier by R.D. Henderson Paul Bloom wants to make his own way and stop grinding for a criminal organization. The higher-ups in the organization are lining their pockets thanks to Bloom and he was getting just a pittance. The catch is he doesnât want the higher-ups to learning he wants to make his own way. Mettle Coyle, an elf and financier, is finally able to get out from under his aunt, who was beloved by everyone at their family-owned investment and financial firm and died under mysterious circumstances, and seized control of the firm with the goal of lining his pockets at the expense of his partners or investors. Paul Bloom, his associates, and Mettle Coyle join other criminals in engineering a confidence scheme which most likely ensure each of them a nice tidy profit. The only catch is when a group of criminals are involved in a scheme to steal a large amount of money, each of them, including Bloom and Coyle, want the entire ill-gotten gains for himself or herself and none of them will be denied no matter if lives hang in the balance. Death of the Invisible Financier is the first book in the Paul Bloom & Associates Schemes a sword and sorcery series. |
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Daughter of Havenglade (Daughter of Havenglade #1) by H.C. Harrington An Epic Quest Through The Magical World of Havenglade A sinister wizard. A mysterious teacher. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. In the ancient kingdom of Havenglade, a brutal enemy is ravaging the countryside making his way closer to Gradur Castle. An aging king seeks protection from a council of loyal wizards. A peasant girl finds herself at the center of it all after bonding with a magical crystal and absorbing its magical essence. After losing her parents, Laurena was given the chance of a lifetime to study wizardry under the mysterious and renowned teacher Unai. Can she learn to harness the powers inside her before it's too late? |
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A Dark Inheritance (Hollow Fate #1) by Todd Herzman Itâs a dark path to power. When Ruben is bound by magic and hauled across the sea to where the God King reigns, he has only one goal: escape. As he tries to resist his masterâs pull, he discovers a secretâthe reason he was taken from his familyâRuben is a mage. On his journey to understand his power, his desire to become stronger takes him to dark places, driving him to do even darker things. If he can gain his freedom, will he be able to return to the life he once knew, after what heâs become? SPFBO 2020 Semi-Finalist! |
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Curse of the Jenri by Stephanie Barr The world of the Jenri is a dangerous, primitive world, where women are prized as chattel, but the Jenri women, every one from the eldest archivist to the smallest babe, strike fear into battle-hardened mercenary hearts. It is a world where battle steeds are mythical beasts and magic is as deadly a weapon as a sword. Those who wield both are doubly dangerous and those who cross them are thrice damned. The Jenri are mistresses of all these things. If you love one of these marvelous women, you must best her in a contest of her choosing to win her love in return. These were women who needed no one to take care of them. Until now. It wasnât enough that Jenri women had been stolen, including his wife, Layla It wasn't enough that those who had stolen them had nefarious plans. And phenomenal magic powers. And could escape in seconds. And an underground fortress in the midst of frozen mountains so cold Tander was afraid heâd shatter if he stumbled one more time. It wasnât enough that he was surrounded by angry husbands worried about their wives and willing to take their tempers out on him if he was leading them in the wrong direction. It wasnât enough that he was also surrounded by the remaining women from his tribe who were equally angry and more than capable of kicking his butt. No, on top of all those little issues, he discovered he's no longer âjustâ an extraordinary swordsman, but also a great and powerful sorcerer with absolutely no idea how to use his powers. He was not just any sorcerer, either, but one chosen by six tiny kitten familiars who did know how to use his powers and who had no problem telling him. All the time. While they demanded to be carried all over his person, purring and taking inopportune naps. He didnât want these powers or a flock of noisy but helpful kittens, but he was going to need them. He'd need all the skills and talents he and his companions possess in order to save their womenâand Layla. But we love you, Tander! Solace insisted, purring and licking his neck. Things have got to get better soon. |
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Calico Thunder Rides Again by T.A. Hernandez Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Most Fantastic Show on Earth... Three years ago, the Ban changed everything, outlawing certain forms of magic and bringing about the rise of powerful crime syndicates. Now, speakeasies in every city sell illegal charms and jinxes, and bootleggers traffic restricted potion ingredients across the country. But even in this changing world, the magic of the circus still acts as a wondrous escape and provides entertainment for all.â Jake Strickland owns one such circus, inherited after an accident ended his career as a rodeo dragon rider. He also inherited the circusâ financial troubles, but since the show became his, heâs slowly managed to turn it into a profitable business once more. Or at least, thatâs what he thought. When a dangerous mobster comes to collect an old debt, Jake resorts to desperate measures to get the money before a strict deadline. With lives and livelihoods at stake, he battles the clock, his responsibilities to the circus, and a longstanding personal grudge that has festered for years. Can he pay back the mob before itâs too late? |
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Burning Embers (The Shadows Return, #1) by Fiona Jeeves The empire has been crumbling for three hundred years. But among the kingdoms fighting for dominance, Feia must learn that the most powerful thing in any world, is to be able to accept and love who you are. Abandoned as an infant at a Temple, it is time for Feia to break free. Persecuted and held at knife-point, she is forced to defend herself and destructive magic awakens within. This new power brings premonitions of her homeland, Arngeir destroyed by a mysterious army. In order to warn the nobility, and save Arngeir, Feia must leave everything behind and make the dangerous journey north. Beyond the Temple boundaries there is no protection from the elements, the dangers of the road or the Champions of Light, hunters of anyone who dares to be different. Her power could be her salvation or her damnation. A young adult fantasy, with danger, romance and a desperate need for self-discovery. |
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Bull and the Goblin Raid by Matt Heppe Baron Theodus of Sursival arrives at the Green Wyvern Inn to tell the story of his life. He will return each night to regale the villagers there with tales of monsters, treasure, foes, and friends. And when his story is done, heâll leave his subjects, never to return again. The baronâs friends call him Bull, but not because heâs stubborn. Heâs a giant of a man. Heâll answer to Lord Bull if you arenât sure where you stand with him. Tonight heâll tell the story of his road to adventure: a goblin raid that leaves Bull, his sister, and his mother as penniless refugees on a perilous journey. Goblins, disease, winter storms, and ruthless bandits all conspire to defeat the trio. Seventeen-year-old Bull, his stalwart sister, and hard-as-nails mother stand side-by-side against everything a cruel world can send against them. But how much can three people take? |